9/11 Ceremony in Somerville: Always Remember, Never Forget

Content Options

Rev. Paul Janssen of United Reformed Church in Somerville gave the invocation at Sunday's 9/11 memorial service.
Credits: Rod Hirsch

Credits: Rod Hirsch

Credits: Rod Hirsch

Credits: Rod Hirsch

Somerset County Freeholder Director Pat Walsh looks on as Deputy Freeholder Director Mark Caliguire reads the names of those from Somerset County who were killed in the 9/11 terrorist attack.
Credits: Rod Hirsch

SOMERVILLE, NJ – First responders, clergy, public officials and residents gathered at the Somerset County 9/11 Memorial Sunday morning to reflect on the horrors of that fateful day 15 years ago when the United States was attacked by terrorists, killing nearly 3,000 people in New York City, Washington, DC, and on an ill-fated jet that crashed into a field in Shanksville, Pa.

The Somerset County Police Pipes & Drums performed on the lawn in front of the county administration building before the ceremony began with the tolling of bells and a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m., the time when the first hijacked jet struck the first World Trade Center tower.

Participating in the ceremony were the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard and Sheriff Frank J. Provenzano, who led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Rev. Paul Janssen of the United Reformed Church in Somerville gave the invocation, honoring those innocent victims whose lives were cut short; those who gave their lives in the valiant rescue attempt, and those who survived only to be afflicted with cancer and other maladies as a result of their exposure to the dust and rubble of “The Pile,” during the year-long clean-up of the World Trade Center towers in New York City.

He encouraged all religions and all people to weave together a worldwide culture that seeks “justice, not vengeance” and to bless first responders and the military for their good work “in places we do not wish to go.”

“Our lives and our way of life were forever changed on September 11. That is especially true for families who lost loved ones that tragic morning,” Walsh said. “It is important for us, as a community and as a nation, to remember not only the events of September 11, but also the people who died that day, because that is how they live on – in our hearts and in our memories.”

The names of 39 Somerset County residents killed in the terrorist attacks are memorialized on a plaque that is fastened to a steel beam recovered from the World Trade Center that forms the centerpiece of the clock tower memorial at the corner of East Main Street and North Bridge Street.

Each of the victim’s names was read aloud by the freeholders.

Walsh introduced New Jersey Rep. Leonard Lance, R-7th, who emphasized the need to always remember and never forget and the need to continually retell the story of 9/11 to ensuing generations.

The freeholders placed a red, white and blue memorial wreath alongside the memorial, which was followed by a moment of silence.

Junior Girl Scouts from Troop 60151 in Franklin Township placed small rocks that they painted in memory of the 9/11 tragedy at the base of the clock tower.

“These young ladies weren’t even born yet when the tragedy occurred. They don’t know a world that doesn’t include common words like 9/11, Ground Zero and terrorism,” Walsh said. “I find it moving that these young Scouts are with us today to commemorate those who died 15 years ago. By placing the memorial rocks at the base of the clock tower, they are affirming Somerset County’s promise to Never Forget,” she added.

Fellow horsemen mourn the death of Ruth Mulvey, who competed in the sport of combined driving.

Mulvey died Feb. 10, 2018. She was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pa.

Her love for horses began when she was little. Each summer her large family would head to the Catskills to visit their grandparents; she would ride Candy or Champ, horses that belonged to her childhood friend.

SOMERVILLE, NJ – The Borough’s controversial parking fees are set to undergo another revision, with hourly parking reduced from 75 to 50 cents in municipal lots 1,2,4 and 6, according to a merchant-driven plan endorsed by Mayor Ellen Brain.

The $1 hourly rate for parking on Main Street will remain the same, according to the mayor.

WARREN, NJ - The Watchung Hills Regional High School Board of Education heard a presentation on Tuesday night on the progress of the wellness initiative at Watchung Hills. Superintendent Elizabeth Jewett used the time allocated for superintendent’s comments to set the stage for the presentation and comment on some of the issues and inaccuracies that have been raised.

WARREN, NJ - Momentum can be a fickle agent in a win-or-go-home game, and once the Bridgewater-Raritan boys basketball team ceded that force to Watchung Hills late in the first half, the Panthers were never able to seize it back.

Steven Bressler led all scorers with 21 points and hit five 3-pointers to lead Watchung Hills over Bridgewater-Raritan in the quarterfinal round of the Somerset ...

WARREN, NJ - Senior Julia Cunningham led the Watchung Hills Lady Warriors with 19 points and 15 rebounds over Bound Brook on Tuesday in the quarter final round of the Somerset County Tournament, 43-40.

Sophomore Mahogany Jenkins chipped in 10 points and 10 rebounds for Watchung Hills, who improved to 20-2 on the season. Cameron Ward led the Crusaders (20-2) with 13 ...

PARKLAND, FL - While Marjory Stoneman Douglas was the setting for the tragedy of last week, Marjory Stoneman Douglas, the person, was a civic-minded journalist who devoted her life to preservation and civil rights.

The events of the past week have left our Parkland community devastated but determined to bring forth hope and optimism for the future. We have been left asking ...

SUMMIT, NJ - Overlook Medical Center, part of Atlantic Health System, recently earned the Perinatal Care Certification from The Joint Commission, a certification program which recognizes hospitals that are committed to achieving integrated, coordinated and patient-centered care for mothers and their newborns.

Established in 2015, Perinatal Care Certification is awarded for a two-year ...

SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ - Holy Savior Academy’s cheerleading squad is on winning streak. Competing at the Biddy Level in the CCCANJ League, the girls took 1st place in the first two competitions of this cheer season. The 12 girl squad competed in the Immaculate Conception and the St. Mary’s competitions and came out on top beating fellow Catholic Schools, Immaculate ...

As you know, we are here to encourage you to travel. Unfortunately, the New York Toy Fair is one place virtually none of you can go. So, unless you have been tirelessly been searching the internet, you are not up to date on what toys your children will be wanting soon.

Fortunately, with Press Correspondent credentials, we were able to go in your place.

SURF CITY, NJ - Need a job this summer? Look no further. Shore Fire Grille again has teamed up with local businesses in the area for a special summer 2018 Job Fair event.

The Third Annual LBI Job Fair will take place Saturday, March 31. Employers will be looking to hire help for the summer season on busy Long Beach Island. The event will be held at the Surf City Yacht ...

For all the high school seniors and their parents, we are in the stressful "waiting period". We've just finished or are finishing applications to all the schools we might possibly want to attend next year and now sit and wait our fate after the $60-$80 non-refundable application fees to at least 8-13 schools and ...

SURF CITY, NJ - Need a job this summer? Look no further. Shore Fire Grille again has teamed up with local businesses in the area for a special summer 2018 Job Fair event.

The Third Annual LBI Job Fair will take place Saturday, March 31. Employers will be looking to hire help for the summer season on busy Long Beach Island. The event will be held at the Surf City Yacht ...

MILLBURN, NJ - The Watchung Hills Regional High School wrestling team won its first District title on Saturday and 11 Warriors placed in the top three of their weight classes to advance to regions. North Plainfield came in ninth in District 14 and three wrestlers advance to regions.

”Congratulations to Coach Smith, his staff, and all of our Warrior wrestlers on winning their first ...

SOMERVILLE, NJ - Students from more than 30 schools in Somerset County, including Green Brook, North Plainfield and Watchung, will compete in the 3rd annual Spelling Bee Spectacular sponsored by the Somerset County Library System of New Jersey.

Participation is limited to those students up to the eighth grade.

The contest, which is a preliminary to the 2018 Scripps National Spelling ...

WARREN, NJ - A letter was sent to all parents of Watchung Hills Regional High School students (WHRHS) on Jan.19 addressing the school’s efforts to promote student wellness and reduce student stress. The letter also encouraged parents to review the academic integrity guidelines and have conversations with their children about health, wellness, and ethical ...

EAST ORANGE, NJ - Julia Cunningham recorded a double-double for Watchung Hills with 21 points, 16 rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block to lead the Watchung Hills girls basketball team over East Orange on Monday, 44-40.

Jayden Baltuch finished with seven points, four assists and one rebound.

SOMERVILLE, NJ – The Borough’s controversial parking fees are set to undergo another revision, with hourly parking reduced from 75 to 50 cents in municipal lots 1,2,4 and 6, according to a merchant-driven plan endorsed by Mayor Ellen Brain.

The $1 hourly rate for parking on Main Street will remain the same, according to the mayor.